Visible index



Jam 8, 1929.

F. H. JOHNSTON VISIBLE INDEX Filed April 30. 1924 Patented Jan, 8, 1929.

UNITED STATES- PATENT. OFFICE.

FRANK H. JOHNSTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY ASSIGNMENTS, TOACME CARD SYSTEM COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

VISIBLE INDEX.

Application filed April 30,

This invention relates to improvements in visible index, and is directedmore particularly to a visible index in which the index cards aresupported .in overlapping spaced-apart relation on a frame.

My invention in its particular embodiment, comprises an auxiliary sheet,which is adapted to be detachably mounted on and supported by thehangers supporting the index cards,

one of the features of the invention being that the auxiliary sheet canbe mounted on and removed from its hanger without disturbing theposition of the index card mounted on the same hanger, and withoutremoving the v hanger from the frame.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a frame, having overlapping indexcards mounted therein, and illustrating the mounting of the auxiliarysheet.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View, showing the relative positioning of themaster card and auxiliary sheet on the hanger.

Fig. 3 is a second perspective view illustrating the manner of mountingthe auxiliary sheet on the hanger.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 desig- I nates, as a whole, 'ametal frame havingthe central web portion 2. which may be turnedinwardly on upper and lower edges as shown at 3 and 4. The edges of theweb 2 may be covered by the flanges 5 which are riveted or otherwisesecurely attached to the web 2, as shown at 6. These flanges are offsetupwardly to provide side guide channels 7, and the arrangement is suchthat one or both sides of the web may be provided with these channelledguides 7 The flanges at 'one edge of the web may be provided withpintles 8, which are adapted to be hung on a suitable stand or in anysuitable bracket allowing pivotal movement of the entire frame.

The hangers 9 which may consist of flexible metal are return-bent, asshown at 10, to space the cards a predetermined distance apart, andterminate in the offset projection 11. The hangers 9, being flexible,are adapted to be contracted centrally to be placed in the channelledguides 7, or removed therefrom. The

clips 12, which are preferably of metal, are

attached to the top of the index cards 13, and

are provided with eyes through which the ends 11 of the hangers areadapted to be threaded.

Referring now' to the particular feature of 1924. Serial No. 709,953.

this invention, it is, at times. necessary and desirable to employ anauxiliary index card or sheet 14, for the purpose of incorporating datathereon when the master card 13 has been filled and it is necessary toretain same in the file. The auxiliary data-containing card or sheet 14may also be used where it is desirable to remove the sheet 14 from theindex,for instance, by'salesmen, and then later replace same. Data suchas current prices, record of calls, etc., may be carried by thisauxiliary sheet, while the master card may contain permanent data.

The sheet 14 is preferably a double sheet folded as shown, and thefolded edge cut away as shown at 15, inwardly from its edges to providecutaway portions,the inner edges of which are adapted to be hung on theends 11 of the hanger 9. Thus, it will be seen that the auxiliary sheetcan be instantly mounted on and removed from the hanger without removingthe card or hanger from .the frame, or in any way disturbing the set orpositions of adjacent auxiliary sheets, or the master cards or hangers.Y

I have shown the auxiliary sheet as having cutaway portions. I do notwish to limit 'myself to cutaway portions, as the sheet may be otherwiseslotted or apertured to provide a positive means for detachably mountingthe sheet14 on the hanger. It isobvious that the auxiliary sheet may bemounted either in front or in back of the master card and bysuperimppsing one auxiliary sheet over an other, more than one auxihary'sheet maybe mounted on the same hanger.

frames. It must be understood that in using the expression frames, Imean to include various types of frames, used individually or inmultiple, supported in either a vertical position on a stand, or in ahorizontal position. In other words, the essense of the invention is inthe provision of the auxiliary card, to be used with visible indexequipment mounted in any suitable support, such as the frames shown anddescribed, slidable drawers mounted in cabinets, etc.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a visible index, the combination with a frame, of a flexiblehangerhaving returnbent ends detachably mounted in said frame, an index carddetachably mounted relative to the return-bent ends of said hanger byhinge-like elements cooperating between the I have shown my invention asapplied to hanger and card, afolded index member auxiliary to said indexcard detachably mounted on the return-bent ends of the hanger, beingsupported solely by its folded edge, and mountable on, or removablefrom,

. the return-bent ends of the hanger without ably mounted on thereturn-bent ends of the hanger, being supported solely by the engagement of its folded edge with the returnbent ends of the hanger andmountable on, or removable from, the return-bent ends of the hangerwithout removing the card from the hanger or the hanger from the frame.

8. In a visible index, the combination with a frame, of flexible wirehangers detaehably mounted in said frame each havingreturnbent ends,index cards having detachable tooperative relationship with thereturn-bent ends of said hangers, folded auxiliary index members mounted-on theportions of the return-bent ends of the hangers projecting beyondthe portions on which said index cards are mounted, said folded indexmembers being supported solely by supporting portions at the ends of theline of fold, and

mountable on, and removable from, the return-bent ends of the hangerswithout disturbing the position of the cards or hangers.

4. In a visible index, the combination with index sheets removablymounted on the return-bent ends of the hangers and independentlyremovable therefrom, said folded sheets being supported on saidreturn-bent ends by the engagement of supporting portions at the ends"of the line of fold with said return-bent'ends.

5. In a visible index, the combination with a frame, of flexible .wirehangers detachably mounted in said frame each having returnbent ends,index cards having detachable cooperative engagement with thereturn-bent ends of said hangers, and folded auxiliary index sheetsremovably mounted on the return-bent ends of the hangers andindependently removable therefrom, said folded sheets being supported onsaid return-bent ends by the engagement of supporting portions at theends of the line of fold with said ends of said hangers, and foldedauxiliary return-bent ends, said folded index sheets being provided withcut-away portions on their folded edge extending to their lateral edgesto permit engagement and disengage from theframe.

FRANK H. JOHNSTON.

